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Chapter 26
A few months later, my 13th birthday arrived.
I asked my father to hold a grand and extravagant birthday party. I also requested that not only children, but most of the high-ranking nobles of the Empire be invited. My father looked somewhat puzzled.
“Of course, I will hold the biggest banquet in the Empire. But you usually don’t like big events, so why this sudden change, Etienne?”
“I want to show off the new chandelier installed in the hall. Everyone will be jealous.”
“Ha ha, so that’s what you wanted to boast about? Since it’s your chandelier, do whatever you like.”
My father laughed heartily and readily agreed to my request.
Not long ago, Susan had completed a crystal glass processing technique. The crystal glass, with its high light refraction, shone far more brilliantly than ordinary glass produced in the Eastern Continent. Susan, with her delicate craftsmanship, turned it into a massive and luxurious crystal chandelier, and presented it to the count’s family.
The chandelier was not just a lighting fixture, but a work of art. My father was delighted and generously rewarded Susan, also providing her with a spacious and comfortable workshop so she could continue her work freely. After that, Susan began producing various crystal glass crafts.
One day, she made a crystal dog for Calisto. He was so overjoyed, holding the sparkling figure in his hands and not knowing what to do with himself. After that, Calisto seemed to like Susan and often visited her workshop even without me.
“My father also said the crystal dog you made for Calisto was beautiful. You really brought in a talented person.”
It seemed my father thought the same. I smiled briefly, imagining Calisto walking around everywhere with that crystal dog in his hands.
A few days later, my birthday banquet was held. Nobles invited by the count gathered at the Winyeits Count’s mansion. One side of the banquet hall was piled high with my birthday presents, but I wasn’t very interested in gifts from nobles I didn’t even know.
“Oh my… what is that? Is that a glass chandelier?”
Someone pointed at the ceiling of the hall and exclaimed in admiration. Everyone’s gaze turned upward.
The crystal chandelier, carefully crafted by Susan, was on a scale never seen before. Hundreds of glass candle holders illuminated the ceiling brilliantly. The white glow of the crystal chandelier combined with the red flames of the candles created a dreamlike atmosphere. The nobles stared up in awe, unable to close their mouths.
“Using such expensive glass to make something so extravagant… Is the Winyeits Count family that wealthy?”
Glass itself was a luxury item that only high-ranking nobles could possess in this world. The size and number of glass windows in a noble mansion were enough to measure a family’s wealth. And since such a massive glass chandelier didn’t even exist in the Eastern Continent, it was only natural that Susan’s work captured everyone’s attention.
“I’ve never seen anything like this even in the East. Is it some special kind of glass?”
“I’ve never seen a chandelier shine like that before. It must be something special.”
I smiled faintly and sipped my strawberry juice. At a time like this, I should have been drinking wine and raising a toast, but it was frustrating being only thirteen years old.
The birthday congratulations were quickly forgotten. Everyone gathered around my father, asking how they could obtain such a crystal chandelier. My father looked a little disappointed that no one was paying attention to me, the main character of the day, but my real goal had never been the birthday itself.
My goal was to gather all the high-ranking nobles of the Empire, showcase a new product, and gain free publicity. The birthday banquet had fulfilled that role perfectly.
Now all that was left was to persuade my father to officially start a crystal glass business. I decided to request a proper meeting the next day.
“Etienne, happy birthday.”
“Ah, Lawrence. Thank you.”
At some point, Lawrence had approached me and smiled warmly, handing me a small gift box. As expected of the young heir of the Armaniac Duke family, everything about the wrapping paper looked luxurious. It felt like high-quality handmade paper, similar to hanji. Since paper itself was a rare commodity in this world, such material could only be imported from the technologically advanced Eastern Continent. Using something so expensive for a gift to a thirteen-year-old was excessive.
As I touched the gift box, I thought:
‘Paper production might be a good business too. Right now, it all has to be imported from the East… but if we produce it domestically…’
Lawrence, who was glancing at my thoughtful expression, asked gently.
“Etienne, aren’t you going to open it?”
“Huh? Oh, right. Thank you. I’ll open it.”
Carefully so as not to tear the paper, I unwrapped the box and opened it—then gasped.
Inside was a silver jewelry case with a large purple sapphire set in the center. As I stared at it wide-eyed, Lawrence continued in a soft voice.
“It matches your eye color, doesn’t it? Open it. I hope you like what’s inside too.”
“Umm…”
Still dazed, I opened the case.
Inside were various jewels. Amethyst earrings, a ring, and a necklace set shimmered beautifully. I took a sharp breath. No matter how much this was a gift from a duke’s heir, this was too much.
“Lawrence, I can’t accept this.”
“Hmm? Why not?”
He tilted his head innocently. Then he picked up a ring from the box and took my hand.
“Because of your eye color, I had it specially made. Look, it fits perfectly.”
“But this is too much.”
I muttered while looking down as he placed the ring on my finger. A child receiving a full jewelry set and a sapphire case for a birthday gift… The Armaniac Duke must really adore his only son. Still, wasn’t this too much luxury for a child?
But I couldn’t ignore Lawrence’s gentle, pleading eyes.
“Please accept it. If you don’t, I can’t give it to anyone else. I’d have to throw it away.”
“…Then I’ll give you a return gift on your birthday. And please don’t give me such expensive things in the future. I appreciate it, but still…”
“Then just give me a ring on my birthday. I like this design anyway!”
“….”
Didn’t you say you made it because of my eye color? Lawrence’s eyes were dark brown—there was no way purple gems suited him. While I looked unimpressed, he continued smiling.
“It’ll be like a couple ring, don’t you think?”
“W-well…”
A sigh slipped out on its own because of this overly friendly “flirty type” kid. Maybe Calisto became such a possessive obsessive character because of Lawrence’s habit of being kind to everyone.
And leaving aside the fact that Lawrence was destined to end up with Calisto as a main pairing… where on earth had he even learned the word “couple ring”? Even though his body was a child’s, his mind seemed surprisingly mature. Kids these days really were ahead of their time.
Since the Duke of Armaniac left early, Lawrence also said goodbye reluctantly and returned home with him. I chatted briefly with the Gilros twins and Brine, then suddenly realized I hadn’t seen Calisto for a while.
There was no way he would miss my birthday banquet. Feeling uneasy, I looked around, and Brine pointed to a corner of the hall.
“I saw Calisto over there on the balcony earlier. I asked him to come, but he said no.”
“Calisto?”
“Yeah. He didn’t look in a good mood. Did something happen?”
That couldn’t be right. There was no reason for Calisto to be upset at my birthday banquet. I frowned slightly, and Kevin tilted his head.
“He was nearby earlier! He’s been acting serious since then!”
“Earlier? When?”
“Earlier… um… I saw him behind Lawrence when he gave you the gift!”
“…Really?”
So he’d been lurking behind when Lawrence gave me the present. I thanked the kids and headed toward the balcony.
Just as Brine said, in a dark corner of the balcony, Calisto was sitting curled up, hugging something tightly.
He looked even smaller than usual as he huddled there. Feeling a bit sorry for him, I slowly approached and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.
“Cal, why are you here alone?”
“Eek…! H-hyung?”
Calisto clearly hadn’t expected me and jumped in shock. He hurriedly pushed me away and looked flustered. I also pulled my hand back, surprised by his reaction.
“Calisto, what’s wrong? Is something going on?”
“No, it’s just… ah!”
He suddenly stood up in a hurry. At that moment, the object he had been holding fell to the ground with a crash.
Clang.
Something broke.
I quickly looked down.
“No, don’t look!”
Calisto shouted tearfully.
On the ground lay a small glass jewelry box, cracked and damaged. Through the open lid, colorful candy beads had spilled out and were rolling everywhere.
